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Letters to the editor: Feb. 9, 2018

I read the president’s speech in Ohio — you know the one I’m talking about — the one where he called people “un-American” and “treasonous” for not applauding for him during a speech. This is not normal! This is not OK. Please speak up about how this is not OK.

You and I both know that it is absolutely bonkers to say it is “treasonous” that members of Congress did not applaud that man. What exactly would you have done if Barack Obama made that statement — or Bill Clinton?

Comments like these are the statements of banana republic dictators, not American presidents. They cause harm to our democracy and make us look like fools on the global stage. Speak up! Don’t support things like this.

ANTON PROSSER, AUSTIN

If protesting the policies of the Trump administration and a supporting Republican-controlled Congress is treason, then I am guilty of that crime.

The United States is not a business that Trump and his acolytes need to restructure for their own profit.

Though Donald Trump may think it is his duty to tear apart Social Security and Medicare, it is something that has been paid for by the people of the United States and it belongs to them.

Racism, bigotry, ignorance and discrimination are hallmarks of this administration as evidenced by the handpicked nominations for cabinet positions. The Departments of State, Education, Health and Human Services, Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency are headed by individuals that are uniquely unqualified and detrimental to those agencies.

A patina of patriotism poorly covers a surface of hatred and greed.

HENRY KIGHT, AUSTIN

Re: Feb. 5 article, “Utilities’ disaster costs spur concern.”

The article about California lawmakers’ concern that grid negligence costs could be passed on to customers is just an inkling of larger problems.

An earthquake in California breaking gas pipe lines could cause a monthlong blackout. This type of outage is being ignored in planning. Puerto Rico should have planned better in advance for rebuilding their system.

The U.S. should be phasing out dependency on natural gas but instead is doing the opposite. Not addressing these risks could lead to monthslong blackouts and brownouts — even here in Texas. The large auto transformers are made overseas and require about a year to replace. Austin needs to have some spares on hand just in case the worst does happen.

EUGENE PRESTON, AUSTIN

I am writing to express my concern over Devin Nunes. He is supposed to be recused from the House Intelligence Committee investigation, but continues intervening. His recent memo, released against the wishes of the FBI, underscores his loyalty to President Trump and inability to be an impartial check on the executive branch.

Furthermore, this memo only serves to weaken the FBI and undermine the Robert Mueller investigation. The partisan politics by Nunes and other GOP congressmen must not be allowed to continue. These actions only serve to further divide us and undermine our democracy. Trump must not be allowed to continue obstructing justice.

Texas’s elected officials must put country before party: Protect Mueller’s investigation; remove Nunes from the HIC; and pressure the State Department to enforce past-due sanctions on Russia.

America is watching.

DIANA CERES, AUSTIN

Infamous Austin City Council Member Greg Casar is at it again, trying to force small business to pay sick time to employees.

I worked in government and private sector, including the city of Austin. Never have I encountered so much corruption when it comes to sick time as I have at the city of Austin.

Now, they want to impose these practices on small businesses. I feel so sorry for them. This council will approve anything to diminish small business. They encourage laziness. I have seen it all. Private sector, fight back!

G. SEIDEN, LAGO VISTA

The Climate Solutions Caucus in the House of Representatives has 34 Democrats and 34 Republicans talking about climate. But what have they done? Just a little, little bit.

We need substance to protect our economy and health for our children. We need these representatives to stand behind and act on an assertive, effective policy, such as the carbon fee and dividend. However, none of these representatives are from Texas. What does a concerned Texan do? Think big, big action!

I appeal to all of us to study the caucus members, contact our friends and family who do have representatives on this caucus and encourage and support them in holding their representatives accountable for moving this policy forward now. Together and swiftly — and for the sake of our children — let’s make meaningful use of the Climate Solutions Caucus.

THERESA MELOMO, AUSTIN

In response to the letter suggesting anyone who doesn’t like Trump should take in immigrants — and even though there’s enough of us that this might actually solve the immigration issue — I’d like to counter that we’ll take in immigrants when you forced-birthers start adopting all these children you insist that people have.

It appears that there’s no civil right you’re not willing to overturn during the pregnancy — but once they’re born it’s, “You’re on your own baby; get a job.”

In the words of “dear leader,” this is just sad.

MIKE LOOBY, ROUND ROCK

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